Rafael Hagopjanian (JD '20) and Henry Tufnell (JD '20) Assist in LawInSport Report on Coronavirus and Football (Soccer)

After graduating from Pepperdine Caruso Law in May 2020, Rafael Hagopjanian and Henry Tufnell began work for LawInSport and its founder and CEO Sean Cottrell. Working on a team with Cottrell and Rustam Sethna, Hagopjanian and Tufnell helped LawInSport publish an in-depth report, titled "Coronavirus and its impact on football -- A Sports Law and Policy Centre and LawInSport Joint Survey." The report details the current state of affairs of football in over 50 countries, the effects on player contracts and the negotiations practices, the differing legal implications of force majeure, and the reactions of players' clubs and associations. Hagopjanian and Tufnell assisted LawInSport with creating transcripts summarizing conferences of football experts from around the world. Their work helped produce a survey on the impact on alternative dispute resolution in sports during the COVID-19 crisis, the best practices involved with remote hearing, and the need to encourage mediation in sport. Cotrell said of Hagopjanian and Tufnell, "[t]hey have been brilliant to work with." 

While at Pepperdine Caruso Law, Hagopjanian and Tufnell had been selected to represent Pepperdine in the Fordham Law National Basketball Negotiation Competition in New York that was scheduled for March, but canceled due to COVID-19. In addition, Hagopjanian served as President and Tufnell served as Sport Chair of the Sports Entertainment Law Society. 

Professor Maureen Weston serves on the editorial board for LawInSport and praised Hagopjanian and Tufnell's initiative and dedication to gaining experience in the sports law industry. 

Read the full survey: "Coronavirus and its impact on football -- A Sports Law and Policy Centre and LawInSport Joint Survey". 

Learn more about on the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law's Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law program.